Connect Reading and Writing

Critical Thinking

  • 1. SUM IT UP Make a card for each vocabulary word. Use at least five of the words to explain how Ballard explored the ocean to find Titanic.

    Illustration of three index cards with one word written on each card

  • 2. Analyze Describe Titanic to a friend. Use details from the text to give a clear picture. Tell why Titanic is famous.

  • 3. Conclusion Which picture best shows why so many people wanted to search for Titanic? Support your conclusion.

  • 4. Interpret Robert Ballard says, “Information is lost if you take things away from the wreck.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

  • alarm

  • discover

  • explorer

  • famous

  • ocean

  • passengers

  • search

  • wreck

Reading Fluency

Intonation Read the passage on page 580 to a partner. Assess your fluency.

  • 1. I read

    • a. great

    • b. OK

    • c. not very well

  • 2. What I did best in my reading was _____.

Reading Strategy

Ask Questions

How did you find the answer to a question you asked during reading? Tell a partner.

Vocabulary Review

Oral Review Read the paragraph aloud. Add the vocabulary words.

Most ships are safe, but some ships face terrible danger. Sometimes there is no warning or _____ and a ship crashes into rocks. The ship may sink into the _____. The _____ may lose their lives. People may _____ for the _____ of a lost ship for many years before they _____ it. An _____ who studies a well-known, or _____, shipwreck can learn new information.

Written Review Imagine you are an explorer, diving to see the wreck of Titanic. Write a journal entry about it. Use five vocabulary words.

Illustration of a pen icon Write About the Guiding Question

Explore the Drive to Discover Why do you think Robert Ballard put his life in danger to discover Titanic? Read the selection again. Support your opinion with examples from the text.